Rangie engine conversion
Submitted: Monday, Jul 21, 2003 at 20:54
ThreadID:
6099
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2617
Replies:
7
FollowUps:
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Martyn (WA)
Right, I've used my other two options now it's time to throw the question out to the audience, I now have a 350 Chev engine which I have to rebuild (my choice) and I'm going to glue it somehow on to a LT77 5 speed box again my choice, I've spoken to the insurance and also the state vehicle licensing after advice from another thread, emissions is an issue but as long as fit a four barrel Rochester I'm right, something I'm going to find at the local Kwicky Mart no doubt, insurance seems to hinge on getting the car over the pits so that's what i'm going to do.
The reason for the post is about who's adaptor kit do I use to glue one bit to the other, it seems to come down to two, both in
Melbourne, I would like to learn from personal experiences and not hear say, good and bad, Ok fire away......... Keep the shiny side up
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Jul 21, 2003 at 21:47
Monday, Jul 21, 2003 at 21:47
Mate used a Marks kit on his 4skinner conversion with VS V6 Commodore, he is up to $14,000 so far JUST ON THE CONVERSION and getting it sorted out!!!
Then there are some success stories with them... Its like Diesel V Petrol, Auto manual etc etc.. Good and bad in all.
Personally, I would go with a 4.4 Rover and no crappy conversion thing!!!
The 350's go
well as a 383, Ask Cheezy! Wheelstands his GQ...
AnswerID:
25542
Follow Up By: Martyn (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003 at 21:21
Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003 at 21:21
Truckster,
Thanks for the comments, I've read that the Holden conversion can cost S---t loads of cash with the fuel injection systems and how they are tied into the security system etc, I'm going for the long rebuild type option, as and when i get the bits great if it takes me twelve months I don't really care it's something to tinker with in the workshop, the old donk is going
well and doesn't need to be changed at present. If I don't get out of this little jobbie finished and on the road for 4k I'll want to know why, if I want to finish it by Friday, back the truck up and tip the cash in. I'm sticking with the carby conversion even though this 350 was fitted with fuel injection, I've got to weld the two centre holes in an original inlet manifold and redrill them at a different angle or something, there also some issues with the starter motor hitting the diff housing and the dizzy hitting the firewall, sounds like fun and a bit of a challenge, the LT77 box will be the next thing to bite the dust so i'll stick a turbo 700 in and see what happens when that dies. No doubt as my threads unfold you will know where I'm up to. Taking the old girl over the pits will be a challenge I've got some other bits to fix before I do that.
I'm off to the the BFG M/T's a work out on Sunday the conversion may come round quicker than I planned......... catch you aroundKeep the shiny side up
FollowupID:
17386
Reply By: Trevor - Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003 at 23:05
Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003 at 23:05
Martyn,
I have done a 4.4l (P76) conversion to the 82 4speed Rangie that I had and was very happy with it. I ran dual fuel on it . I towed my caravan around Aust with it and had no trouble. I think this is a good choice of engine.
Both of my brothers did 350 chev conversions using
home made adaptor kits into 5 speed manuals and both had overheating problems that caused no end of grief in spite of trying all sorts of fans and radiator swaps. Both sold their Rangies when they couldn't solve the problems. One also did in the weak Lt77 box but they are only good for 100 000km behind the 3.5l asthma pack engine anyway.
There is a lot of practical info at sandm.alphalink.com.au on engine swaps in Rangies including a V12 Jag engine if you're a real masochist.
Good luck
Trevor (
Perth)
AnswerID:
25649
Follow Up By: Martyn (WA) - Thursday, Jul 24, 2003 at 08:45
Thursday, Jul 24, 2003 at 08:45
Trevor,
Thanks for the comments, were your brothers running the standard radiators or someting else? I'm slowly getting more and more depressed about this conversion, I think I'm going to continue for now, "I've started so I'll finish", luck seems to be most people wishes so that bit's encouraging.
With the gearbox, the Rangie I have has 245K on the clock and it's going
well so from your comment seeing as the box has done twice it's expected life I'm doing
well. At this time I'm reluctant to change the box because of the extra fitting issues and more importantly cost, by the looks of things it's coming though.... Keep the shiny side up
FollowupID:
17492
Reply By: Trevor - Sunday, Jul 27, 2003 at 22:00
Sunday, Jul 27, 2003 at 22:00
Martyn,
the radiators used on my brother's cars were original, and then replaced with 4 row heavy duty models. They tried various fan and viscous coupling combos including direct drive. they even cut extra louvres in the bonnet to try to shift more air.
I ran a standard radiator with my 4.4 motor but did add an oil cooler which made a big difference on a hot day.
Another good thing about this motor is that only an expert would pick it from the original, once you fit the alloy rocker covers from the 3.5 motor and restamp your original engine number on it all your licencing and insurance dramas disappear!
The only problem with the 4.4 motor is sealing the inlet manifold which I had trouble with until I had the manifold refaced.
One final point - if your gearbox has done that km then any more powerful motor will probably kill it. You can tell when it's going by putting the transfer box in neutral and then running the gearbox in each gear and listening to it. When you hear it talking to you, reach for the bankcard!
Happy Motoring Trevor (WA)
AnswerID:
26115